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Can a car have four different tyres?
My son purchased a 2018 Volkswagen Golf TSI with 2600 miles on the clock last week. I subsequently noticed that all four tyres were different brands - Dunlop, Davanti, Bridgestone and Hankook. All were 205/55 R16 91V with the exception of one which was 91H (acceptable rating for the vehicle).
I suggested that he contact the seller to complain and he was told that it was perfectly acceptable and had passed the MoT. My take on this is that with such a mix of tyre and adhesion performance a vehicle is not 100 per cent roadworthy. I would appreciate your view on this and advice on any further action that could be taken.
I suggested that he contact the seller to complain and he was told that it was perfectly acceptable and had passed the MoT. My take on this is that with such a mix of tyre and adhesion performance a vehicle is not 100 per cent roadworthy. I would appreciate your view on this and advice on any further action that could be taken.
Asked on 25 April 2022 by David Wilkin
Answered by
Lawrence Allan
This is a bit of a grey area - it is only illegal to mix cross ply and radial tyres or fit tyres that do not meet the size or rating requirements of the car. There is no law that specifies the same brand of tyre needs to be fitted on each corner, but it will affect the way the car performs, particularly in the wet or under braking.
Was the car purchased from a dealer/independent garage? You may possibly be within your rights under the Consumer Rights Act to reject the car within 30 days of the sale, but this is pretty unlikely and the dealer will no doubt dispute this, requiring legal advice on your part.
Sadly, as this was not noticed before the car was purchased the cheapest course of action would likely be to replace the tyres, and treat it as a learning curve to check before buying (and avoid said dealer!).
Was the car purchased from a dealer/independent garage? You may possibly be within your rights under the Consumer Rights Act to reject the car within 30 days of the sale, but this is pretty unlikely and the dealer will no doubt dispute this, requiring legal advice on your part.
Sadly, as this was not noticed before the car was purchased the cheapest course of action would likely be to replace the tyres, and treat it as a learning curve to check before buying (and avoid said dealer!).
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